Dog training help

[walnutz]

Thanks for all the input. He is crate trained and sleeps in the kitchen every night without issue. We have lined up a training session with a professional to get opinions on what method to take. I'm guessing the lack of socializing with other dogs and people is the major factor but the timing of a major knee surgery I had to have shortly after bringing him home really sidelined the training and public walking I could do. Thanks again for all the advice

[crazy ducker]

Also have him sit while people walk up to him if he moves start over until he doesn’t do it. If he jumps up have him sit again.

[britman101]

Have to agree with a previous post to set up a training session with TnT kennels. Initially it might be just working with the trainer and your dog so they get a feel as to what may be going on. Then once your dog becomes better behaved I would take other obedience courses with other dogs and pet owners. This will accomplish a few things, get your dog socialized to other dogs and people. And at the same time put you in a controlled environment so you can learn how to control your dog if he acts up. Also once that has been completed, take your dog out to pet parks, and to pet stores to reinforce the dog training.

[srupp]

Also have him sit while people walk up to him if he moves start over until he doesn’t do it. If he jumps up have him sit again.

Hmm one word simple commands. .always the same word for each action response..for unwanted behavior ours is NAAAAAGH"
Correctly pointed out..he MUST sit when encountering anyone.always.first growling..then jumping..then biting.
A dog that has been taught to instinctively sit when meeting anyone .....can not do both sit and jump.
This MUST be addressed immediately. .much harder to break a behavior problem after being learned and repeated.
The first 6 months are critical for socialization, alpha leadership roles..expected responses and training to start..at 2 years going to be tougher but doable.
Professional help is needed if you don't have the time to comit" to breaking this behavior right now
Only the second lab i have ever heard about like this
Steven

[Big Lew]

I've owned and trained several dogs, mostly labs, and every one of them had a different character.
As Steven said, early socialism is very important, just like little kids. Only one of my labs, the first
one, could be considered aggressive to strangers. He had no problem socializing with other dogs
because he was entered into field trial training right away with all manner of dogs when he was a
little pup. He was aggressive (protective) toward strangers though until he was properly introduced,
and then he would always remember that person and greet them in a friendly manner. I wouldn't
want to try and enter my property, truck, or camp without being introduced though. I didn't get my
current lab until it was a year old and it didn't have any training, including socializing. Although he's
an exceptionally intelligent dog and has responded very well to extensive training, his lack of early
social skills has always been a struggle...he's just too friendly. Having him sit or lay down works to
keep him under control but the poor fellow almost hyperventilates with excitement at times when people
come to visit that make a big fuss over him. My daughter as an example. With others he's learned to
control himself, especially if that person helps by ignoring him. Like kids, they're all different.

[Kasomor]

Hey just hoping to get some advice on how to help get our dog get better trained. We have a yellow lab who will be two in August. Overall he is a good dog when he is at home or at my workplace and we did the puppy training when he was younger and all that stuff. But the problem now is he is getting worse at reacting towards other people he doesn't know and more so other dogs. I cant say its mean aggression but he scares people the way he barks and wants to charge them. Its to the point I can no longer take him on walks in busy areas since he just goes nuts when he sees people or dogs. I have heard many times labs are very wild and crazy until 3-5 years old but not sure how to stop this!! My wife is starting to resent him and wont bring kids around scared he may get mean or aggressive. Anyone have a trainer they have uses in the Langley area who is good with this kind of stuff or any advise on if this is normal and what to do? He has never bit or growled in anger and tail is wagging when hes acting like hes going to attack someone but his hair stands up like crazy. Thanks for any help! our first dog and its starting to be a major issue.

Very few dogs are truly aggressive in the " I want to kill you" sense. Sounds like your dog has fear aggression from what you write. Trying to dominate, alpha roll or pin a dog who is fearful will only make him worse.... as he might see this as fighting for HIS life when he is already in fear mode. Don't start a fight with a dog that you may not win. What are you going to do if he turns on you? Hit him with a 2 x 4 and then take him to the vet to put him down cause you got bit? That isn't directed to the OP but for those of you advocating to go alpha on his dog.

Dogs with fear aggression are just as dangerous as dogs with kill aggression. They will both put holes in people and dogs. I think your wife is smart to keep him away from kids and adults that he doesn't know until you get this solved.

Your dog has some serious issues going on if just seeing people or dogs when out for a walk, he goes into aggression mode towards them.

If the trainer that you have booked doesn't work out, send me an email at kasomor@shaw.ca. I am one of the Instructors at TNT Training and can put you into contact with a trainer who can help you.

Good luck

[Discoverer]

Agreed 100%

Very few dogs are truly aggressive in the " I want to kill you" sense. Sounds like your dog has fear aggression from what you write. Trying to dominate, alpha roll or pin a dog who is fearful will only make him worse.... as he might see this as fighting for HIS life when he is already in fear mode. Don't start a fight with a dog that you may not win. What are you going to do if he turns on you? Hit him with a 2 x 4 and then take him to the vet to put him down cause you got bit? That isn't directed to the OP but for those of you advocating to go alpha on his dog.

Dogs with fear aggression are just as dangerous as dogs with kill aggression. They will both put holes in people and dogs. I think your wife is smart to keep him away from kids and adults that he doesn't know until you get this solved.

Your dog has some serious issues going on if just seeing people or dogs when out for a walk, he goes into aggression mode towards them.

If the trainer that you have booked doesn't work out, send me an email at kasomor@shaw.ca. I am one of the Instructors at TNT Training and can put you into contact with a trainer who can help you.

Good luck